Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Government must clarify status of additional €10 million for Tsunami aid

Sinn Féin spokesperson on International Affairs, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD,
has called on the Government to clarify if the additional €10 million
promised by the Government in Tsunami aid was in fact "new money" or
just diverted from elsewhere.

The Dublin South Central TD was responding to reports that the extra €10
million would actually come from the existing Emergency Humanitarian
Assistance budget. He also asked for the Government to say how much
money had already been provided.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, "Following the tremendous generosity of the Irish
people over the last couple of weeks in terms of donations to the various
charities the Government upped it's commitment in aid from €10 million to
€20 million. This was a very welcome development.

"It was generally understood that this would be new money. However, it is
now being reported that the extra €10 million is to come from the existing
Emergency Humanitarian Assistance budget.

"I would call on the Minister responsible to clarify this situation
immediately. If it is not in fact additional monies, this would be
completely at odds with the spirit of generosity shown by the Irish public.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to call on the Minister to say
how much money the State has already provided for humanitarian aid for the
victims of the Tsunami." ENDS